Exterior mirror plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly

ABSTRACT

An automobile exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly, which includes a reflective element assembly. The reflective element assembly includes a first reflective element having a unit magnification and a second reflective element having a curvature. The first reflective element and the second reflective element are supported at a support element. The mirror system preferably further includes an actuator, which is operable to adjust the orientation of the reflective element assembly. The second reflective element is disposed adjacent to and separate from the first reflective element when it is included in the exterior sideview mirror assembly. Further, a demarcation element is provided between the first reflective element and the second reflective element. A portion of the second reflective element adjacent the demarcation element has a front surface that is generally coplanar with the front surface of the first reflective element.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/478,315, filed Jan. 6, 2000, entitled “EXTERIOR MIRRORPLANO-AUXILIARY REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY”, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to exterior sideview mirrorassemblies suitable for use on an automobile, and more specifically, toplano-auxiliary reflective element assemblies for use in automobileexterior sideview mirror assemblies.

[0003] Automobiles are typically equipped with an interior rearviewmirror assembly (adapted for providing a rearward field of viewimmediately rearward of the vehicle, typically principally in the roadlane the vehicle is traveling in) and at least one exterior sideviewmirror assembly attached to the side of the vehicle (typically adjacenta front side window portion). The exterior side view mirror assemblytypically comprises a reflective element adapted to provide a rearwardfield of view of the side lane adjacent the vehicle so as to allow thedriver see whether a side approaching vehicle is present when the driveris contemplating a lane change. Conventionally, automobiles are equippedwith a driver-side exterior mirror assembly and, very often, with apassenger-side exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted to the side ofthe automobile body opposite to that of the driver-side assembly. Whilethe combination of an interior rearview mirror with a driver-sideexterior mirror (and especially in a three-mirror system comprising aninterior rearview mirror with a driver-side exterior mirror and apassenger-side exterior mirror) works well in many driving situations,rear vision blind spots present a potential safety hazard while driving.A rear vision blind spot is an area adjacent the side of an automobilewhere a view of another vehicle (overtaking on that side) is notcaptured in the rearward field of view of the exterior mirror reflectoron that side. This presents a potential safety hazard as the driver,upon checking the view in the exterior sideview mirror and seeing noovertaking vehicle therein, may deem it safe to initiate a lane change,unaware that there is a vehicle immediately adjacent in a blind-spot ofthe exterior mirror reflector.

[0004] Various attempts have been made conventionally to minimize and/oreliminate exterior mirror blind-spots on vehicles. One approach is tomake the exterior mirror reflector larger, and particularly wider withrespect to the vehicle body. By increasing the width of the exteriormirror reflector, it has a wider field of view rearwards, and hence thereflector blind-spot is reduced. While use of a wide exterior mirrorreflector is an option for trucks, buses and commercial vehicles,increasing the width of the reflector used in an exterior sideviewmirror assembly mounted on automobiles (such as sedans, station wagons,sports cars, convertibles, minivans, sports utility vehicles, pick-uptrucks and similar passenger carrying automobiles) is often not anoption. In such domestic automobiles, increasing the width of theexterior mirror reflector increases the size of the exterior sideviewmirror assembly with a concomitant increase in aerodynamic drag,increase in fuel consumption, increased difficulty in parking in tightparking spaces, and increased reflector vibration. Use of a non-flat,curved exterior mirror reflector is commonly used to increase rearwardfield of view without increasing reflector size.

[0005] While working well to increase field of view, use of a curvedreflector (such as a convex, spherically-curved reflector) hasdisadvantages. The field of view rearward increases as the degree ofcurvature of the bent substrate increases (i.e., the field of viewrearward increases as the radius of curvature of the bent substratedecreases). However, such wide-angle mirrors have non-unit magnificationand distance perception rearward is distorted. For this reason, convex(spherically-bent) exterior mirror reflectors are required in somecountries (such as the United States) to carry a safety warning “OBJECTSIN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR”. Distance perception isparticularly important for a driver-side exterior mirror. Indeed,Federal Vehicle Safety Standard No: 111 in the United States (the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) requiresthat the driver-side exterior mirror reflector exhibit unitmagnification, and places restrictions on the radius of curvatureallowed for any bent passenger-side mirror as well as requiring a safetywarning be placed thereon. As an improvement over sphericallybent/convex mirror reflectors, aspherical or multiradius mirrorreflectors (such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,449,786 and5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein) have been developed. Such mirrors are widely used inEurope and Asia for both driver-side exterior mirror reflectors and forpassenger-side exterior mirror reflectors. The aspherical or multiradiusmirror reflectors typically have a less curved (larger radius ofcurvature) reflective region that is inboard or closest to the driverwhen mounted on a vehicle and, usually separated by a demarcation lineor the like, have a more curved (smaller radius of curvature) regionthat is outboard or farthest from the driver when mounted on a vehicle.However, such aspherical or multiradius reflectors do not have unitmagnification and so cannot be used when unit magnification is mandated(such as by FMVSS 111, referenced above).

[0006] To supplement a flat driver-side exterior mirror reflector, anauxiliary and separate bent reflector is sometimes incorporated into thedriver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly. However, this is oftennot suitable for passenger automobiles because of the extra spacerequired in the sideview mirror assembly to accommodate an auxiliaryreflector element. Also, in most passenger automobiles, the position ofthe side view mirror reflector is adjustable by the driver (such as by ahand-adjust, or by a manually adjustable cable such as a Bowden cable orby an electrically operable actuator, as known in the art) in order toprovide to that driver his or her desired rearward field of view, whichill-suits use of a separate, auxiliary reflector. Likewise, addition ofstick-on blind-spot mirror reflectors (such as are commonly sold inautomotive parts stores and the like) onto an automobile exteriorsideview mirror reflector has disadvantages, including obscuring fieldof view of the automobile mirror reflector and adding to mirror elementvibration.

[0007] There is thus a need to provide an automobile exterior sideviewreflective element, and particularly a driver-side automobile exteriorsideview reflective element, that overcomes the disadvantages above andthat provides the driver of the automobile with a distortion-free fieldof view with unit magnification that is supplemented with a wide-angleview of a side lane blind spot, and there is a need that this beprovided in a unitary reflective element assembly module suitable tomount onto, and be adjusted by, the mirror reflector adjustmentmechanism (such as an electrically operated, motorized actuator)provided in the exterior sideview mirror assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, an automobile exteriorsideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assemblyhaving a reflective element assembly. The reflective element assemblyincludes a first reflective element and a second reflective element,which together provide an increased field of view for the exterior sidemirror assembly.

[0009] In one form of the invention, an automobile exterior side mirrorsystem includes an exterior side mirror assembly, which is adapted forattachment to a side of an automobile. The exterior sideview mirrorassembly includes a reflective element assembly having a planoreflective element, which forms a first reflective element, and amultiradiused reflective element which forms a second reflectiveelement. The reflective element assembly is mounted to an actuator,which moves the reflective element assembly to position the rearwardfield of view of the reflective element assembly. The reflective elementassembly further includes a frame element assembly to which the firstand second reflective elements are mounted and which orients the secondreflective element such that it has a viewing range which spansoutwardly and downwardly with respect to the first reflective element tothereby provide an increased field of view for the exterior sideviewmirror assembly.

[0010] In one aspect, the first reflective element and the secondreflective element are adjacently attached to the frame element assemblyat a joint. The reflective element assembly further includes ademarcation element disposed at its joint to form a demarcation betweenthe first and second reflective elements that is visible to the driver.In a further aspect, the frame element assembly includes a bezel portionwhich extends around the first reflective element, with the demarcationelement comprising a segment of the first bezel portion.

[0011] In another aspect, the second reflective element comprises a bentglass substrate with radii of curvature in the range of about 4000 mm toabout 100 mm.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the frame element assembly includes aframe, with the first and second reflective elements being mounted inthe frame. The multiradiused reflective element is mounted to the frameat an outboard position, with the plano reflective element beingpositioned adjacent the multiradiused reflective element and at aninboard position with respect to the multiradiused reflective elementwhen the exterior side mirror assembly is mounted to an automobile. In afurther aspect, the plano reflective element is mounted to the frame bya backing plate, which is preferably adapted to mount to the actuator.

[0013] In other aspects, the first reflective element includes arearward field of view having a principal axis, which is different fromand angled to a principal axis of the rearward field of view of thesecond reflective element when the reflective element assembly ismounted in the exterior sideview mirror assembly. The principal axis ofthe rearward field of view of the second reflective element is directedgenerally outwardly and downwardly with respect to a longitudinal axisof the automobile when the exterior side mirror system is mounted to anautomobile. For example, the principal axis of the rearward field ofview of the second reflective element may form a downward angle withrespect to the principal axis of the rearward field of view of the firstreflective element in the range from about 0.75° to about 5°, or in arange of about 1.5° to about 3.5°, in a range of about 2° to about 3°.

[0014] In other aspects, the principal axis of the second reflectiveelement forms an outward angle with respect to the principal axis of therearward field of view of the first reflective element in a range ofabout 0.75° to about 5°, or in a range of about 1° to about 3°, or in arange of about 1.25° to about 2.5°.

[0015] According to another form of the invention, an automobileexterior side mirror system includes an exterior side mirror assembly,which is adapted for attachment to a side of an automobile. The exteriorside mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective elementassembly, and an actuator. The reflective element assembly includes aframe element assembly, a first reflective element having a unitmagnification, and a second reflective element having a multiradiusedcurvature. The frame element assembly mounts the first reflectiveelement and the second reflective element in the mirror casing and isadapted to mount to the actuator, which adjusts the orientation of thereflective element assembly. The first reflective element has a firstrearward field of view with a first principal axis, and the secondreflective element has a second rearward field of view with a secondprincipal axis, with the second principal axis being angled outwardlyand downwardly with respect to the first principal axis.

[0016] In one aspect, the second principal axis is angled outwardly fromthe first principal axis at an angle in a range of about 0.75° to about5°, or in a range of approximately 1° to about 3°, or at an angle in arange of about 1.25° to about 2.5°.

[0017] In another aspect, the second principal axis is angled downwardlyfrom the first principal axis at an angle in a range of approximately0.75° to about 5°, or in a range of about 1.5° to about 3.5°, or at anangle in a range of about 2° to about 3°.

[0018] In another aspect, the frame includes a support surface for thesecond reflective element, with the support surface angling the secondprincipal axis of the second reflective element.

[0019] In yet another form of the invention, an automobile exteriorsideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview mirror assembly,which is adapted for attachment to a side of an automobile. The mirrorassembly includes an actuator and a reflective element assembly. Thereflective element assembly includes a frame element assembly, a firstreflective element, and a second reflective element. The frame elementassembly is adapted to mount to the actuator and includes a frame and asupport surface for the second reflective element. The actuator adjuststhe position of the reflective element assembly to thereby adjust theviewing angle of the sideview mirror system. The support surface anglesthe second reflective element downwardly and forwardly of the firstreflective element when the mirror assembly is mounted to an automobilewhereby the second reflective element provides a viewing range whichspans outwardly and downwardly with respect to the automobile to therebyprovide an increased field of view for the exterior sideview mirrorassembly.

[0020] In one aspect, the support surface is provided by a plateelement, for example a solid plate element or a foraminous plateelement. In other aspects, the support surface is provided by a frame.

[0021] In further aspects, the frame includes a first bezel portion anda second bezel portion, with the first bezel portion extending aroundthe first reflective element, and the second bezel portion extendingaround the second reflective element. In one form, the second bezelportion is angled forwardly with respect to the first bezel portion whensaid exterior sideview mirror assembly is mounted to a side of anautomobile.

[0022] In another aspect, the second reflective element is locatedoutboard of the first reflective element.

[0023] These and other advantages, features, and modifications willbecome more apparent when reviewed in conjunction with the drawings andthe detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile equipped withexterior sideview mirror assemblies according to this present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a top plan partial fragmentary view of the driver's sideexterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly of the mirror assembly in FIG. 2;

[0027]FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a demarcation element ofthe plano-multiradius reflective element assembly of FIG. 3;

[0028]FIG. 5A-5H illustrate views of various locations for a planoreflective element and an auxiliary reflective element according to thispresent invention;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a planoreflective element assembly according to the present invention includinga demarcation element formed as a dividing wall in a backing plateelement;

[0030]FIG. 6A is a cross-section taken along line XX of FIG.6;

[0031]FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of FIG.6;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a plano-auxiliaryreflective element assembly according to this present invention;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a planoreflective element assembly according to the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the plano reflectiveelement assembly of FIG. 8;

[0035]FIG. 10 is an end view of the plano reflective element assembly ofFIG. 8 as viewed from line X-X of FIG. 8;

[0036]FIG. 11 is a top view of the plano reflective element assembly ofFIG. 8 as viewed from line XI-XI of FIG. 8;

[0037]FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the plano reflectiveelement assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the orientation of thereflective element;

[0038]FIG. 13 is another schematic representation of the orientation ofthe reflective elements of the plano reflective element in FIG. 8;

[0039]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the range of viewing of thereflective elements of the plano reflective element assembly of FIG. 8;and

[0040]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an exteriorrearview mirror system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, passenger automobile 10 (which may be asedan, a station-wagon, a sports car, a convertible, a minivan, a sportsutility vehicle, a pick-up truck or a similar passenger carryingnon-commercial, personal transportation automobile) includes an interiorrearview mirror assembly 18 positioned within interior vehicle cabin 25.Interior vehicle cabin 25 further includes a steering wheel 16, a driverseat 20 positioned at steering wheel 16, a front passenger seat 21adjacent to driver seat 20 in the front portion of cabin 25, and a rearpassenger seat 23 in the rear portion of cabin 25. Automobile 10 furtherincludes a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 and apassenger-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 14, each adapted forattachment to opposing sides of automobile body 11, most preferablyadjacent to the seating position of the driver seated in driver seat 20for driver-side assembly 12 and adjacent to the front passenger seat 21for passenger-side assembly 14. Exterior sideview mirrors, mounted asshown in FIG. 1 close to the driver seating location, are commonlyreferred to as door-mounted exterior sideview mirror assemblies.Driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 includes, asillustrated in FIG. 2, a plano-multiradius exterior sideview reflectiveelement assembly 30. Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 ismounted to a reflective element positioning actuator 36. The orientationof plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, and hence itsrearward field of view, is adjustable by actuator 36 in response tocontrol 37. Control 37 can comprise a handset control that allows thedriver manually move the orientation of plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly 30 within exterior mirror housing 40 (such as by alever control or by a cable control) and hence reposition the rearwardfield of view of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30.Alternately, when actuator 36 comprises an electrically actuatedactuator that is electrically operable incorporating at least one motor,control 37 can comprise a switch (which, preferably, is operable undercontrol of the driver seated in cabin 25) or control 37 can comprise amemory controller, as known in the automotive mirror art, that controlsactuator 36 to move the position of plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 to a pre-set orientation that suits the rearward field ofview preference of an individual driver. Actuator 36 is mounted tobracket 38 which attaches to vehicle body side 11. Plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly 30 is positionable by actuator 36 withinexterior mirror housing 40.

[0042] Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, as shown inFIG. 3, comprises a plano element 50 and a separate multiradius element55. Preferably, plano element 50 is adjacent to multiradius element atajoint. At their joint, plano element 50 and separate multiradiuselement 55 can touch leaving substantially no gap or space therebetween,or plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can be spacedapart at their joint by a space or gap, as in FIG. 3. Plano element 50and multiradius element 55 are both mounted to surface 59 of, and areboth supported by, a single backing plate element 60. Plano element 50and multiradius element 55 are demarcated apart by demarcation element65. Surface 61 of backing plate element 60 is preferably adapted toattach, such as by attachment member 64, to actuator 36 whenplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is mounted indriver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 (and/or inpassenger-side exterior side view mirror assembly 14) such that planoelement 50 and multiradius element 55 are adjusted and positioned intandem and simultaneously when the driver (or alternatively, when amirror memory system, as is conventional in the rearview mirror arts)activates actuator 36 to reposition the rearward field of view ofplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30. Thus, since elements50, 55 are part of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30,movement of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 by actuator36 simultaneously and similarly moves plano element 50 and multiradiuselement 55.

[0043] Plano element 50 preferably comprises a flat reflector-coatedglass substrate having unit magnification, and comprises a reflectivesurface through which the angular height and width of the image of anobject is equal to the angular height and width of the object whenviewed at the same distance (except for flaws that do not exceed normalmanufacturing tolerances). Plano element 50 may comprise a conventionalfixed reflectance mirror reflector or it may comprise a variablereflectance mirror reflector whose reflectivity is electricallyadjustable. For example, plano element 50 may comprise a flat glasssubstrate coated with a metallic reflector coating such as a chromiumcoating, a titanium coating, a rhodium coating, a metal alloy coating, anickel-alloy coating, a silver coating, an aluminum coating (or anyalloy or combination of these metal reflectors). The metal reflectorcoating of plano element 50 may be a first surface coating (such as onsurface 66) or a second surface coating (such as on surface 67), as suchterms are known in the mirror art. The reflector coating on planoelement 50 may also comprise a dielectric coating, or a multilayer ofdielectric coatings, or a combination of a metal layer and a dielectriclayer to form automotive mirror reflectors as known in the automotivemirror art. If a variable reflectance reflector element, plano element50 preferably comprises an electro-optic reflector element and, mostpreferably, an electrochromic reflector element.

[0044] When mounted into exterior side view mirror assembly 12 and/or14, plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is preferablyorientated so that at least a portion of (more preferably a substantialportion of) the reflector surface of plano element 50 is positionedcloser to the vehicle body (and hence to the driver) than any portion ofthe reflector surface of multiradius element 55. Thus, and referring toFIG. 3, side A of plano element 50 of plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly 30 is positioned closer to the driver than side D ofmultiradius element 55 when plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 is mounted on an automobile. Also, when mounted intoexterior side view mirror assembly 12 and/or 14, surfaces 66, 68 ofplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 face rearwardly interms of the direction of vehicle travel.

[0045] Multiradius element 55 of plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 preferably comprises a curved/bent mirrored glass substrate.The degree of curvature preferably increases (and hence the local radiusof curvature decreases) across the surface of multiradius element 55with the least curvature (largest radius of curvature) occurring at theside of multiradius element 55 (side C in FIG. 3) positioned adjacentits joint to plano element 50 when both are mounted on backing plateelement 60. Thus, and referring to FIG. 3, the local radius of curvatureat side C of multiradius element 55, when mounted on backing plateelement 60, is larger than at side D. Also, the local radius ofcurvature preferably progressively decreases across multiradius element55 from side C to side D. Preferably, the local radius of curvature atside C of multiradius element 55 is at least about 1000 mm; morepreferably is at least about 2000 mm and most preferably is at leastabout 3000 mm whereas the local radius of curvature at side D ofmultiradius element 55 is, preferably, less than about 750 mm, morepreferably less than about 350 mm; most preferably less than about 150mm. Preferably, multiradius element 55 comprises a bent glass substratewith radii of curvature in the range of from about 4000 mm to about 50mm. The multiradius prescription for the multiradius element to be usedin a particular exterior mirror assembly can vary according to thespecific field of view needs on a specific automobile model.

[0046] The total field of view rearwardly of the automobile of theplano-auxiliary reflective element assembly (which is a combination ofthe field of view of the plano reflective element and of the auxiliaryreflective element) preferably generally subtends an angle of at leastabout 20° (and more preferably, generally subtends an angle of at leastabout 25° and most preferably, generally subtends an angle of at leastabout 30°) with respect to the side of an automobile to which isattached an exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with theplano-auxiliary reflective element assembly.

[0047] Multiradius element 55 may comprise a conventional fixedreflectance mirror reflector or it may comprise a variable reflectancemirror reflector whose reflectivity is electrically adjustable. Forexample, multiradius element 55 may comprise a flat glass substratecoated with a metallic reflector coating such as a chromium coating, atitanium coating, a rhodium coating, a metal alloy coating, anickel-alloy coating, a silver coating, an aluminum coating (or anyalloy or combination of these metal reflectors). The metal reflectorcoating of multiradius element 55 may be a first surface coating (suchas on surface 68) or a second surface coating (such as on surface 69),as such terms are known in the mirror art. The reflector coating onmultiradius element 55 may also comprise a dielectric coating, or amultilayer of dielectric coatings, or a combination of a metal layer anda dielectric layer to form automotive mirror reflectors as known in theautomotive mirror art. If a variable reflectance reflector element,multiradius element 55 preferably comprises an electro-optic reflectorelement and, most preferably, an electrochromic reflector element.

[0048] Also, it is preferable that the thickness of piano element 50 andmultiradius element 55 be substantially the same in dimension so thattheir respective outer surfaces, 66 and 68, are substantially coplanarso that a driver can readily view images in either or both elements. Thethickness dimension of elements 50, 55 is determined by the thickness ofthe substrate (or in the case of laminate-type electrochromic reflectiveelements, the thickness of the two substrates between which theelectrochromic medium is disposed). For example, plano element 50 and/ormultiradius element 55 can comprise a reflector coated glass substrateor panel of thickness preferably equal to or less than about 2.3 mm,more preferably equal to or less than about 1.6 mm, most preferablyequal to or less than about 1.1 mm. Use of a thinner substrate isbeneficial in terms of improving the overall stability/vibrationperformance of the image seen in plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 when mounted to an automobile.

[0049] The reflector area of plano element 50 is preferably larger thanthat of multiradius element 55. Preferably, the width dimension of planoelement 50 is larger than the width dimension of multiradius element 55(both width dimensions measured at their respective widest dimension andwith the width of the respective element being gauged with therespective element oriented as it would be orientated when mounted onthe automobile). Thus, and referring to FIG. 3, the distance from side Ato side B of plano element 50 is larger than the distance from side C toside D of multiradius element 55. Thus, the ratio of the width of planoelement 50 to the width of multiradius element 55 is preferably greaterthan 1; more preferably greater than 1.5; most preferably greater than2.5 in order to provide a large, unit magnification plano element 50 asthe principal rear viewing portion of plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly 30 and providing multiradius element 55 as a smaller,auxiliary, separate, wide-angle viewing portion of plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly 30. For plano-multiradius reflective elementassemblies to be mounted to the exterior sideview assemblies ofpassenger automobiles used non-commercially and for non-towing purpose,the width of plano element 50 (at its widest dimension) is preferably inthe range of from about 50 mm to about 225 mm; more preferably in therange of from about 75 mm to about 175 mm; most preferably in the rangeof from about 100 mm to about 150 mm.

[0050] Backing plate element 60 is preferably a rigid polymericsubstrate capable of supporting plano element 50 and multiradius element55. Backing plate element 60 comprises a flat portion (generally betweenE and F as shown in FIG. 3) that corresponds to and is aligned withplano element 50. Backing plate element 60 also comprises a curvedportion (generally between G and H as shown in FIG. 3) that correspondsto and is aligned with multiradius element 55. Preferably, curvedportion G-H of multiradius element 55 is fabricated with a multiradiusprescription that is substantially the same as the multiradiusprescription of multiradius element 55. Backing plate element 60 isformed as a single element to which elements 50 and 55 are separatelyattached. Preferably, backing plate element 60 is formed by injectionmolding of a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer resin. Materialssuitable to use for backing plate element 60 include unfilled or filledpolymeric materials such as glass and/or mineral filled nylon or glassand/or mineral filled polypropylene, ABS, polyurethane and similarpolymeric materials. For example, backing plate element 60 can be formedof ABS in an injection molding operation. Plano element 50 can be cutfrom a stock lite of flat chromium mirror-coated 1.6 mm thick glass.Multiradius element 55 can be cut from a stock lite ofmultiradiusly-bent chromium mirror-coated 1.6 mm thick glass. Planoelement 50 and multiradius element 55 can then be attached (such as byan adhesive attachment such as an adhesive pad or by mechanicalattachment such by clips, fasteners or the like) to the already moldedbacking plate element 60. Alternatively, plano element 50 andmultiradius element 55 can each by individually loaded into an injectionmolding tool. Once loaded, a polymeric resin (or the monomers to form apolymeric resin) can be injected into the mold in order to integrallyform backing plate element 60 with elements 50, 55 integrally moldedthereto. Integral molding of the backing plate element to plano element50 and multiradius element 55 (along with any other elements such as thedemarcation element 65) in a single integral molding operation, is apreferred fabrication process for plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30.

[0051] Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 furtherpreferably includes demarcation element 65 that functions to delineateand demarcate the plano region of the assembly from the wide-angle,multiradius region and also preferably functions to prevent ingress ofdebris, dirt, water and similar contaminants (such as road splash, carwash spray, rain, snow, ice, leaves, bugs and similar items thatplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 would be subject towhen mounted and used on an automobile) into any gap between pianoelement 50 and multiradius element 55 when both are attached to backingplate element 60. Optionally, at least a portion of demarcation element65 can be disposed in any gap between plano element 50 and multiradiuselement 55 at their joint on backing plate element 60. Preferably,demarcation element 65 is formed of a polymeric material that is darkcolored (such as black or dark blue or dark brown or dark grey or asimilar dark color) such as a dark colored polypropylene resin or a darkcolored nylon resin or a dark colored polyurethane resin or a darkcolored polyvinyl chloride resin or a dark colored silicone material.Most preferably demarcation element 65 is formed of an at leastpartially elastomeric material (such as silicone, or EPDM, orplasticized PVC or the like) in order to provide a degree of vibrationdampening for elements 50, 55. As shown in FIG. 4, demarcation element65 optionally includes a crown portion 70 that includes wing portions73, 73′ and a stem portion 71. Stem portion 71 preferably has across-sectional width CCC of less than about 4 mm, more preferably lessthan about 3 mm and, most preferably less than about 2 mm. Crown portion70 preferably is dimensioned to not protrude substantially beyondsurfaces 66, 68 of elements 50, 55 when demarcation element 65 isinstalled between elements 50 and 55. Also, wings 73, 73′ are preferablydimensioned to protrude (most preferably slightly) onto surfaces 66, 68of elements 50, 55 when demarcation element 65 is installed betweenelements 50 and 55 in order to provide a weather barrier seal and/or toat least partially accommodate any dimensional tolerances of elements50, 55 that could lead to variation in the inter-element gap betweensides C and B. While the demarcation element shown in FIG. 4 is oneembodiment, other constructions are possible including a demarcationelement that has minimal or no crown portion. Likewise, a demarcationelement can have little or no stem portion, especially when the jointbetween plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 includes no gap toreceive a stem. Also, where a gap at the plano to multiradius jointexists, any stem of the demarcation element can at least partially bedisposed in such gap so as to at least partially fill the gap (or it canoptionally substantially fill the gap). Optionally, demarcation element65 is fabricated by injection molding of a polymeric resin. After planoelement 50 and multiradius element 55 have been attached to backingplate element 60, a separately formed demarcation element 65 can then beinserted (and secured such as by an adhesive or by a mechanicalattachment such as by a fastener) into a space between elements 50 and55. Note that, optionally, side B of plano element 50 and side C ofmultiradius element 55 can touch (leaving substantially no gap or spacetherebetween). In such a situation, demarcation element 65 can comprisea dark colored strip such as of a tape or of a plastic film that coversthe joint between elements 50 and 55. Alternatively, demarcation element65 can comprise a preferably dark-colored paint, lacquer, caulk orsimilar material that can be applied to, and that can preferably fillinto, the joint between elements 50 and 55. The width of the portion ofdemarcation element 65 that is visible to the driver is preferably lessthan about 4 mm, more preferably less than about 3 mm and mostpreferably less than about 2 mm, but is equal to or greater than about0.5 mm, more preferably is equal to or greater than about 0.75 mm, mostpreferably is equal to or greater than about 1 mm in order to provideadequate demarcation of the piano region from the multiradius radiusregion without unduly obscuring the rearward field of view of therespective elements. Optionally, demarcation element 65 can be formed aspart of backing plate element 60 such as by forming demarcation element65 as a wall structure of the backing plate element that partitionsbacking plate element 60 into two regions: A first region adapted toreceive plano reflective element 50 and a separate and adjacent secondregion adapted to receive multiradius reflective element 55.

[0052] Thus, and referring to FIG. 6, a second embodiment ofplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 130 may include a backingplate element 160 which comprises a plate molded from a polymer resin(such as a polyolefin such as polypropylene or such as ABS or nylon)with a demarcation element 165 that is molded as a wall structure thatpartitions backing plate element 165 into a first region (from CC to BB)adapted to receive and accommodate plano reflective element 150 and intoa second region (from BB to AA) adapted to receive and accommodatewide-angle optic multiradius reflective element 155. Note that sectionAA to BB of backing plate element 160 is angled to section BB to CC.Such angling of the auxiliary reflective element relative to the planoelement can be advantageous in allowing the auxiliary reflective elementview a portion of the road adjacent the automobile that is in a blindspot of the plano reflective element. In this regard, it is preferablethat the multiradius element be angled away from the plane of the planoelement, as shown in FIG. 6 by the angling of section AA to BB tosection BB to CC.

[0053] Preferably, demarcation element 65 is formed in an integralmolding operation, along with formation of backing plate element 60, andattachment of elements 50, 55 thereto. For example, piano element 50 andmultiradius element 55 can each by individually loaded into an injectionmolding tool. Once loaded, a polymeric resin (or the monomers to form apolymeric resin) can be injected into the mold in order to integrallyform backing plate element 60 with elements 50, 55 integrally moldedthereto and, in the same molding operation and in the same tool, alsoform by molding the demarcation element. Integral molding of the backingplate element to plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 along withcreation in the single molding operation of demarcation element 65(along with any other elements such as attachment member 64) in a singleintegral molding operation, is a preferred fabrication process forplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30. By loading all the subcomponents of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 into amolding tool, and then injecting polymeric resin to form the backingplate, demarcation member and any attachment member, a substantiallycomplete or fully complete plano-multiradius reflective element assemblycan be unloaded from the tool at the completion of the integral moldingoperation (as known in the molding art), thus enabling economy inmanufacturing and accommodation of any dimensional tolerances in the subcomponents. Where integral molding is so used, it is preferable to use areactive molding operation such as reactive injection molding of aurethane as such reactive injection molding operations occur atrelatively modest temperatures.

[0054] Plano element 50 and/or multiradius element 55 can comprise aheater element, as known in the automotive mirror art, that is operableto deice/demist surfaces 66, 68. Such heater elements are conventionaland can comprise a positive temperature coefficient heater pad, aresistive heater element and/or a conductive coating. Plano element 50and/or multiradius element 55 can also optionally comprise ascatterproofing member, as known in the automotive mirror art, such asan adhesive tape, to enhance safety in an accident.

[0055] Also, plano element 50 and/or multiradius element 55 can comprisea variable reflectance electro-optic element such as an electrochromicmirror reflector. Thus, both element 50 and element 55 can comprise anelectrochromic mirror element or either of element 50 and element 55 cancomprise an electrochromic mirror element and the other can comprise afixed reflectance non-variable reflectance mirror element such as ametal reflector coated glass panel such as a chromium coated glasssubstrate. Also, if both plano element 50 and multiradius element 55comprise an electro-optic element such as an electrochromic mirrorelement capable of electrically dimmable reflectivity, both elements 50,55 can dim together and in tandem under control of a common dimmingcontrol signal (typically provided by an electro-optic automatic dimminginterior mirror assembly mounted in the cabin of the automobile andequipped with photosensors to detect incident glare and ambient light).Alternately, if both piano element 50 and multiradius element 55comprise an electro-optic element such as an electrochromic mirrorelement capable of electrically dimmable reflectivity, element 50 candim independently of element 55 (such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,550,677, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein). If either or both of elements 50, 55 comprise anelectrochromic element, preferably, the electrochromic reflectiveelement comprises a front substrate and a rear substrate with anelectrochromic medium disposed between, such as a solid polymer matrixelectrochromic medium such as is disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/350,930, filed Jul. 12, 1999, entitled “ELECTROCHROMICPOLYMERIC SOLID FILMS, MANUFACTURING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES USING SUCHFILMS, AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING SUCH SOLID FILMS AND DEVICES” toDesaraju V. Varaprasad et al., or such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,668,663; 5,724,187; 5,910,854; and 5,239,405, the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Most preferably,in such laminate-type electrochromic mirror reflective elements, thefront substrate comprises a glass plate of thickness less than about 1.6mm, most preferably about 1.1 mm thickness or lower, and the rearsubstrate comprises a glass plate of thickness equal to or greater thanabout 1.6 mm, more preferably greater than about 1.8 mm thickness, mostpreferably equal to or greater than about 2.0 mm thickness. The rearmostsurface of the rear substrate (the fourth surface as known in the mirrorart) is reflector coated with a high reflecting metal film such as ofaluminum or silver, or an alloy of aluminum or silver. Most preferably,the front-most surface of the rear substrate (the third surface as knownin the mirror art) is reflector coated with a high reflecting metal filmsuch as of aluminum or silver, or an alloy of aluminum or silver.

[0056] Backing plate element 65 of plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 is optionally equipped on its rearmost surface withattachment member 64 to facilitate attachment to thereflector-positioning actuator of the exterior sideview mirror assemblythat plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is mounted to.Attachment of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 to theactuator can be by mechanical attachment such as by a tab, clip orfastener, or may be by adhesive attachment such as by a siliconeadhesive, a urethane adhesive or a similar adhesive material such as atape coated on both surfaces with a pressure sensitive adhesive to forma “double-sticky” tape. The exterior sideview mirror assembly, on whosemirror reflector-positioning actuator the plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly is mounted, can be a fixedly attached exterior sideviewmirror assembly, a break-away exterior sideview mirror assembly and apowerfold exterior sideview mirror assembly, as known in the automotivemirror art.

[0057]FIGS. 5A-5H shows various arrangements of multiradius reflectiveelement 55 relative to its adjacent plano reflective element 50 (withdemarcation element 65 disposed at their joint). In FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5Eand 5F, plano element 50 is mounted wholly inboard of multiradiuselement 55. Thus, in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5E and 5F, plano element 50 wouldbe disposed closer to the vehicle body (and hence to the driver) thanmultiradius element 55 when plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly 30 was mounted in an exterior sideview mirror attached to aside of an automobile. Therefore, in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5E and 5F, planoelement 50 would be mounted inboard relative to the side of theautomobile and multiradius element 55 would be mounted outboard relativeto the side of the automobile. In general, the location of themultiradius reflective element in the outboard, upper portion of theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly, as in FIGS. 5B and 5E, ispreferred as this allows the plano portion provide a desired rearwardfield of view along the side of the vehicle. The configuration as shownin FIG. 5G (where the multiradius reflective element is along theinboard side of the assembly) is also desirable as this allows thedriver view the side of the vehicle (something many drivers desire inorder to have a frame of reference for their rearward field of view)while facilitating having a wide field of view for the plano portion.

[0058] Unlike trucks, busses and commercial vehicles the size of anexterior sideview mirror assembly suitable for use on an automobile (andespecially when the automobile is not towing a trailer or the like) isrestricted. Automobiles generally are non-commercial vehicles intendedfor personal transportation. Automobiles typically carry 5 passengers orless, although minivans and large sports utility vehicles (which areclassified herein as automobiles) can have seat accommodation for up to10 passengers (although accommodation for 7 passengers or less is morecommon). The tandem mounting of a plano element of unit magnificationand a separate auxiliary element onto a common, single backing plateelement, and the mounting of this backing plate element onto an actuatorof an exterior sideview mirror assembly so that a driver cansimultaneously and similarly move the auxiliary element and the planoelement so as to position their respective rearward fields of view, andto achieve this within the relatively restricted space available in astandard automobile-sized exterior sideview mirror assembly is animportant element of this present invention. By utilizing a planoelement of unit magnification in the plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly, and by sizing the reflector area of the plano elementlarger than the reflector area of the multiradius element and,preferably, by sizing the reflector area of the piano element at asufficiently large size that the rearward field of view provided by theplano element alone meets and satisfies the minimum field of viewrequirement mandated by an automaker specification and/or a governmentregulation, the need to provide a safety warning indicia such as“OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR” in the plano elementand/or in the multiradius element can be obviated. Preferably, the planoelement comprises a reflector surface area of a size sufficient, whenmounted as part of a plano-multiradius reflective element assembly in adriver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile, toprovide the driver of the automobile a view of a level road surfaceextending to the horizon from a line, perpendicular to a longitudinalplane tangent to the driver's side of the automobile at the widestpoint, extending 8 feet out from the tangent plane 35 feet behind thedriver's eyes (at a nominal location appropriate for any 95th percentilemale driver or at the driver's eye reference points established inFederal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 104), with the driver seated in thedriver's seat and with the driver's seat in the rearmost position. Also,preferably, the aspect ratio of the plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly (defined as the ratio of its largest vertical dimension to itslargest horizontal dimension, measured with the plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly oriented as it would be oriented whenmounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile, andwith “horizontal” being generally parallel with the road surface theautomobile travels on and “vertical” being generally perpendicular tothe road surface the automobile travels on) is preferably less than 1,more preferably less than 0.8, most preferably less than 0.6. Further,it is preferable that the multiradius element be disposed outboard(relative to the side of the vehicle and with the plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly oriented as it would be when mounted in anexterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile) on theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly so that the multiradiuselement is positioned to provide an auxiliary, wide-angle view of a“blind-spot” region in an adjacent sidelane while the moreinboard-disposed plano element with unit magnification provides theprincipal sideview image to the driver.

[0059] Also, it is preferable that the principal axis of the rearwardfield of view of the multiradius element be different from and angled tothe principal axis of the rearward field of view of the plano elementwhen both are attached to the backing plate element of theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly and when theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted and operated inan exterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile. Preferably, theprincipal axis of the rearward field of view of the plano element isdirected generally parallel to the road that the automobile equippedwith the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly is travelling on(i.e. generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the automobile) soas to provide the driver with a long-distance view of approachingvehicles in the side lane that the plano element views). However,preferably the principal axis of the rearward field of view of themultiradius element of, for example, a door-mounted driver-side (orpassenger-side) exterior sideview mirror assembly in which theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted is directedgenerally downwardly towards the road surface adjacent to the driverseating location and/or several feet (such as about 1 foot to about 24feet; more preferably, about 1 foot to about 12 feet; most preferablyabout 1 foot to about 8 feet in distance) to its rear (in order tocapture a field of view of a rear approaching vehicle that isapproaching to overtake, or is about to overtake, or is overtaking theautomobile equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly). Thus, preferably, the principal axis of the rearward field ofview of the multiradius element is angled and directed generallydownwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the automobile andthus is at an angle to the principal axis of the rearward field of viewof the plano element. For example, multiradius element 155 when attachedto surface 173 of backing plate 160 (see FIG. 6B) would have itsprincipal axis of rearward view as indicated by 180 as in FIG. 6B, andas such would be canted towards the road surface when mounted in anexterior sideview mirror assembly attached to the side of an automobile.By contrast, plano element 150 when attached to surface 174 of backingplate 160 (see FIG. 6A) would have a principal axis as indicated by 185as in FIG. 6A and, as such, would be generally parallel to the roadsurface when mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly attached tothe side of an automobile. Having the multiradius element cantedsomewhat downwards towards the road surface assists visual detection bythe driver of overtaking vehicles in the traditional “blind-spot” in theadjacent side lane. The angle that the multiradius element is angled onthe backing plate element of the plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly relative to the plane of the plano reflective element will varyfrom automobile model to model, but generally is preferred to be in theabout 1° to about 10° range; about 2° to about 8° range more preferred;and about 3° to about 6° range most preferred. In order to convenientlyachieve an angling of the multiradius portion with respect to the planoportion (and preferably a downward angling), the portion of the backingplate element that the multiradius reflective element is attached to canbe angled relative to the adjacent portion of the backing plate elementthat the plano reflective portion is attached to. Thus, and referring toFIG. 6, plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 130 includes amolded polymeric backing plate element 160 comprising a generally flatportion 162 (between BB and CC in FIG. 6) and an adjacent curved portion161 (between AA and BB). As indicated by 190 and 195, portion AA to BBof backing plate element 160 is generally angled to portion BB to CC ofbacking plate 160. Preferably, the portion of backing plate element 160to which the auxiliary reflective element attaches is angled towards thefront (compared to the angling of piano reflective element) of anautomobile equipped with the plano-auxiliary reflective element assemblyof the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view of plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly 130 as it would appear from above thevehicle as it would be orientated in use (with portion 162 closer to thedriver than portion 161). The wall section, section XX in FIG. 6, takenthrough section 162 of backing plate element 160 is of substantiallyconstant dimension (as illustrated in FIG. 6A) whereas the wall section,section YY in FIG. 6B, taken through section 161 of backing plateelement 160 is of varying dimension and is angled. Plano reflectiveelement 150 and multiradius reflective element 155 (for example, planoelement 150 can comprise an electrochromic mirror element andmultiradius element 155 can comprise a chrome coated glass reflector)are attached to portions 162 and 161, respectively. By being supportedon the angled face 173 (see FIG. 6B) of portion 161, the principalviewing axis of multiradius reflector element 155 is angled downwardstowards the road surface, as compared to the more horizontal-viewingprincipal viewing axis of plano element 150, when plano-multiradiusreflective element 130 is mounted in an exterior sideview mirrorassembly on an automobile. 5Demarcation element 165 is preferably moldedin the same molding tool as is used to mold backing plate element 160,and so demarcation element 165 is formed as an integral part of backingplate element 160, forming a wall thereof that partitions the surface ofbacking plate element 160 into a region for receiving the planoreflective element 150 and a region for receiving the auxiliaryreflective element 155. Also, end-caps 170 and 171 are optionallyprovided. Plano reflective element 150 can attach into the cavity formedbetween demarcation element 165 and end-cap 171; multiradius reflectiveelement 155 can attach into the cavity formed between demarcationelement 165 and end-cap 170. Note that the portion of the backing plateelement where the wide-angle optic multiradius element attaches can havea thicker wall thickness than that of the portion of the backing plateelement where the unit magnification optic element attaches in order toallow for the angling of the multiradius element downwardly relative tothe angle of the plano element, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B. Asillustrated in FIGS. 6A-B, the angle downwards to the longitudinal axisof the vehicle of the multiradius element can generally be set by anangling of a surface of the backing plate element in order to ensurethat the principal axis of the rearward field of view of the pianoelement is directed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of anautomobile equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly and that the principal axis of the rearward field of view ofthe multiradius element is directed generally at an angle downwards tothe longitudinal axis of the automobile.

[0060] Note that the provision of the plano-multiradius reflectiveelement assembly of this invention as a unitary module has manufacturingadvantages, particularly for exterior sideview mirror assemblymanufacturers who can procure a plano-multiradius reflective elementassembly module from a mirror reflector supplier and then mount theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly module onto an actuator.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment 230 of aplano-multiradius reflective element assembly is illustrated.Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 230 includes a planoreflective element 250 and a separate multiradius reflective elementassembly 255, both individually attached to a backing plate element, andwith demarcation element 265 disposed at their joint. Plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly 230 is about 8.5 inches wide and about 4.25inches tall (aspect ratio of 0.5), at their largest dimension. Shown asthe shaded triangle 240 in plano reflective element 250 is the image ofa triangular target object set about 35 feet rearward and of width about8 feet and of height of about 4.1 feet as would be seen wereplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 230 mounted in adriver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly in an automobile such as asports utility vehicle. In general, it is desirable that the planoreflective element be dimensioned and configured so as to have itsrearward field of view capture an image (that is visible, by reflectionin the plano reflective element, to a driver seated in the driver's seatin an automobile to which is attached an exterior sideview mirrorassembly equipped with the plano-auxiliary reflective element assemblyaccording to this present invention) of a triangular shaped targetlocated about 35 feet rearward of the driver seating location, extendingabout 8 feet out from the plane defined by the side of the automobileand reaching a height of between about 4 feet and about 5 feet from theroad surface at that location 35 feet rearward of the automobile. Thetotal field of view rearwardly of the vehicle of plano-multiradiusreflective element assembly 230 (which is a combination of the field ofview of plano reflective element 250 and of the auxiliary multiradiusreflective element 255) preferably generally subtends an angle of atleast about 30°(and more preferably, generally subtends an angle of atleast about 35° and most preferably, generally subtends an angle of atleast about 40°) with respect to the side of an automobile to which isattached an exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped withplano-multiradius reflective element assembly 230.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment 310 of theplano-auxiliary reflective element assembly of the present invention isillustrated. Plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly 310 includes afirst reflective element 312 and a second or auxiliary, separatereflective element 314 which are together supported in a frame elementassembly 316. As will be more fully described below, frame elementassembly 316 is adapted such that when reflective elements 312 and 314are placed, or otherwise positioned, in frame element assembly 316, theangular orientation of each reflective element is pre-established suchthat during assembly, the assembler need simply place the reflectiveelements in frame element assembly 316.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, frame element assembly 316includes a frame 318 with a forward facing open portion 318 a (FIG. 9)(and thus when frame element assembly 316 is mounted in avehicle-mounted exterior sideview mirror assembly, the forward facingopen portion (318 a) is facing to the front of the vehicle) throughwhich a reflective element subassembly 317 a, which includes reflectiveelement 312, is positioned in frame element assembly 316 and a rearwardfacing open portion 318 b (FIG. 8) (which faces the rear of the vehiclewhen frame element assembly 316 is mounted in a vehicle mounted exteriorsideview mirror assembly) in which a second reflective elementsubassembly 317 b, which includes reflective element 314, is positionedin frame element assembly 316. Frame 318 preferably comprises a moldedmember formed from a plastic material, such as a reinforced nylon.

[0064] In preferred form, first reflective element 312 comprises a pianoreflective element 350, such as a flat reflector coated glass substrate,with a reflective surface through which the angular height and width ofan image of an object is equal to the angular height and width of theobject when viewed to the same distance (except for flaws that do notexceed normal manufacturing tolerances) so as to have a unitmagnification. Similar to the previous embodiment, plano reflectiveelement 350 may comprise a conventional fixed reflectance reflectiveelement or may comprise a variable reflectance reflective element who'sreflectivity is electrically adjustable, as is known in the art. Forexample, plano reflective element 350 may comprise a flat glasssubstrate coated with metallic reflector coating, such as a chromiumcoating, titanium coating, rhodium coating, metal alloy coating, nickelalloy coating, silver coating, aluminum coating, or any alloy orcomposition of these metal reflectors. For further details of pianoreflective element 350, reference is made to the previous embodiments.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, reflective element 312 comprisesan electrochromic reflective element and includes a first substrate 312a and a second substrate 312 b with an electrochromic medium 312 cdisposed between first and second substrates 312 a, 312 b. Such suitableelectrochromic media include, for example, a solid polymer matrixelectrochromic medium as noted in reference to the previous embodiments.Electrical connectors 320 a and 320 b are coupled to the electrochromicmedium 312 c to provide a potential across the electrochromic mediumwhich induces the electrochromic medium to darken, as is known in theart. In the illustrated embodiment, reflective element subassembly 317 aalso includes an optional heater pad 322, which is disposed behindreflective element 312, and a vibration reducing element, such as a foampad 326, positioned behind heater pad 322, which absorbs vibration ofreflective element 312.

[0066] Referring again to FIG. 9, frame 318 is adapted to receive andsupport reflective element subassembly 317 a, which is mounted to frame318 by a backing plate 324, such as a plastic backing plate. In theillustrated embodiment, backing plate 324 mounts to the inner perimeterportion of frame 318 using conventional techniques, such as by adhesivebonding, heatstaking, snap-fit coupling, welding, or the like, to formpart of frame element assembly 316. Alternatively, backing plate 324 maymount onto foam pad 326, for example, by an adhesive attachment, such asdouble sided sticky tape. In which case, reflective element 312 may bemounted to an inner surface of frame 318, such as by an adhesiveattachment, including for example a silicone adhesive, with heater pad322 mounted to reflective element 312, such as by an adhesiveattachment, and foam pad 326 mounted to heater pad 322, such as by anadhesive attachment including, for example, double-sided sticky tape.

[0067] Frame element assembly 316 mounts reflective element assembly 310in the mirror casing and preferably on an actuator, such as an electricactuator, which permits adjustment to the orientation of reflectiveelement assembly 310 about one or more axis. Examples of suitableactuators are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,900,999; 5,986,364;6,132,052; 6,037,689; and 6,094,027 and copending applications Ser. No.09/277,632, filed Mar. 26, 1999, and Ser. No. 09/408,867, filed Sept.29, 1999, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Optionally and preferably, backing plate 324 is adapted toengage or be engaged by the actuator for repositioning ofplano-auxiliary reflective element assembly 310 about one or more axes.In this manner, the orientation of both reflective element 312 andreflective element 314 are simultaneously adjusted by the actuator. Asbest seen in FIG. 9, forward facing side 324 a of backing plate 324includes mounting structures 324 b which are engaged by the actuator tothereby mount reflective element assembly 310 in the mirror casing.

[0068] Referring again to FIG. 8, frame 318 is a unitary frame andincludes a first bezel portion 330 which extends around reflectiveelement 312 and a second bezel portion 332 which extends aroundreflective element 314 to provide styling utility as well as functionalutility. In this manner, a portion of forward facing side of frame 318forms a support surface for reflective element 312, while a portion ofrearward facing side of frame 318 forms first bezel portion 330.Similarly, another portion of the rearward facing side of frame providessupport for reflective element 314 and also provides bezel portion 332.In addition, a portion of frame 318 forms a demarcation element at thejuncture of reflective elements 312 and 314. In the illustratedembodiment, the demarcation element is formed by a section or portion ofbezel portion 330, which will be described in greater detail inreference to bezel portion 330. Thus, frame element assembly 316provides a support function, a positioning function, including anangling function, while also serving to provide styling utility and ademarcation function.

[0069] Second reflective element 314 comprises a radiused reflectiveelement and, more preferably, a multiradiused reflective element 355having a multiradiused curvature. For example, the radii of curvature ofreflective element 314 may range from about 4000 mm to about 100 mm and,preferably, range from about 3000 mm to about 150 mm, and, mostpreferably, range from about 2000 mm to about 200 mm. In addition,reflective element 314 may comprise a fixed reflectance reflectiveelement or may comprise a variable reflectance reflective element who'sreflectivity is electrically adjustable. Preferably, reflective elements312 and 314 include glass substrates, with at least the outer surface ofeach reflective element comprising glass. However, metalized plasticreflectors may also be used which is especially suitable for reflectiveelement 314. In which case, the reflective element (314) would beespecially suitable for molding in or along with frame 318, with thepreformed metalized substrate forming reflective element 314 beingplaced into the mold forming frame 318. For further details of othersuitable reflective elements, reference is made to the previousembodiments. In addition to reflective element 314, reflective elementsubassembly 317 b includes a vibration reducing element, such as a foampad 314 a, which is positioned behind reflective element 314. Similar toreflective element 312, foam pad 314 a is attached to reflective element314 by an adhesive attachment, such as a double-sided sticky tape and,similarly, is attached to frame 318 as will be more fully describedbelow.

[0070] As noted above, frame 318 includes a first bezel portion 330 anda second bezel portion 332. In addition, frame 318 includes an auxiliarysupport element 320 that provides a mounting surface or support surfacefor reflective element subassembly 317 b. As best seen in FIGS. 9 and10, support element 320 includes a recessed support surface 328 which isangled to provide an angled support surface for reflective elementsubassembly 317 b. Thus, when reflective subassembly 317 b is positionedon and mounted on support surface 328, such as by an adhesive attachmentbetween foam pad 314 a and support surface 328, the orientation ofreflective element 314 is established by the angle of the supportsurface. Optionally, support element 320 includes gussets 321 a and 321b which project forwardly from the forward facing side of frame 318 tothereby reinforce support surface 328.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8, first bezel portion 330 includes an upperportion 330 a, two side portions 330 b and 330 c, and a lower portion330 d. Side portion 330 b forms an acute angle with respect to the lowerportion 330 d and an obtuse angle with respect to upper portion 330 aand together with upper portion 330 a, side portion 330 c, and lowerportion 330 d form a perimeter around reflective element 312 to therebyform a styling feature. Second bezel portion 332 extends outwardly fromupper portion 330 a and downwardly to lower portion 330 d of firstperimeter portion 330 and together with side portion 330 b forms aperimeter around second reflective element 314. Support element 320extends behind and between side portion 330 b and second bezel portion332 so that reflective element 314 is recessed behind side portion 330 band bezel portion 332.

[0072] As best seen in FIG. 10, upper portion 330 a, side portions 330 band 330 a, and lower portion 330 d are substantially coplanar andtogether define an outer surface below which reflective element 312 isrecessed when reflective element 312 is mounted in frame 318. Incontrast, perimeter portion 332 is angled forwardly with respect to theplane in which upper portion 330 a, side portions 330 b and 330 c, andlower portion 330 d lie. It should be understood that the terms“forwardly”, “rearwardly” and “downwardly”, are used in reference towhen the mirror system is mounted in an automobile. Therefore,“forwardly” is a direction heading toward the front of the automobile,“rearwardly” is a direction heading to the rear of the automobile,“outwardly” is a direction away from the side of the vehicle on whichthe mirror assembly is mounted, and “downwardly” is a direction headingtoward the surface on which the vehicle is positioned (such as a groundor road surface). Similarly as noted above, reflective element 314 isrecessed below an outer surface of perimeter portion 332 and also belowthe outer surface of side portion 330 b when mounted in frame 318.

[0073] As would be understood from FIGS. 9-11, support surface 328 isalso angled forwardly with respect to back plate 324 and/or reflectiveelement 312 when frame element assembly 316 is mounted in an automobilemounted exterior sideview mirror system. In addition, support surface328 is also angled or tilted downwardly with respect to reflectiveelement 312 and/or backing plate 324 such that when reflective element314 is supported on support surface 328, reflective element 314 providesan increased field of view extending laterally or outwardly from thelongitudinal axis of the automobile and also downwardly of thelongitudinal axis of the automobile.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, support surface 328 is configuredsuch that reflective element 314 is tilted forwardly at an angle α withrespect to the X-axis of reflective element 312. In one form, angle α isin a range of about 0.75° to about 5°. In another form, angle α is in arange of about 1° to about 3°. In yet another form, angle α is in arange of about 1.25° to about 2.5°. Reflective element 314 is alsotilted downwardly with respect to the Y-axis of reflective element 312at an angle β. In one form, angle β is in a range of about 0.75° toabout 5°. In another form, angle β is in a range of about 1.5° to about3.5°. In yet another form, angle β is in a range of about 2° to about3°. With the tilted orientation of reflective element 314, reflectiveelement 314 provides a field of view with a principal axis that sweepsoutwardly and downwardly with respect to the principal axis of the fieldof view of reflective element 312.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, support surface 328 is provided bya plate member 321. Plate member 321 may comprise a solid plate memberor a foraminous plate member. In the illustrated embodiment, platemember 321 is integrally formed with perimeter portions 330 and 332during the molding process of frame 318. As previously noted, frame 318includes a rearwardly facing opening 318 b through which reflectiveelement 314 is inserted for placement on support surface 328. Forexample, reflective element 314 may be positioned in frame 318 onsupport surface 328 during the molding process of frame 318, such as byinsert molding, or may be inserted into frame 318 before the plasticmaterial forming frame 318 is fully cured and is still pliable. In whichcase, reflective element subassembly 317 b is mounted to auxiliarysupport 320 by an adhesive attachment or a mechanical attachment.Alternatively, support surface 328 may be formed by peripheral flange ora frame. In this manner, reflective element subassembly 317 b may beplaced in frame 318 from its forward facing side.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 14, when reflective element assembly 310 ismounted in a vehicle reflective element 312 has a field of view 360which forms an angle A with respect to the longitudinal center line ofthe vehicle in a range of about 8° to about 20°. In another form, angleA is in a range of about 10° to about 18°. In yet another form, angle Ais in a range of about 12° to about 16°. Similarly, reflective element314 has a field of view 362 which forms an angle C in range of about 15°to about 50°. In another form, angle C is in a range of about 15° toabout 35°. In yet another form, angle C is in a range of about 15° toabout 25°. Consequently, the overall field of view of reflectiveelements 312 and 314 extends over an angle B, which ranges from about 8°to about 50° in one form, about 10° to about 35° in another form, andabout 12° to about 25° in yet another form. Furthermore, field of views360 and 362 overlap over a range having angle D in a range of about 20°to about 2°, or in a range of about 15° to about 5°. In another form,angle D is in a range of about 10° to about 8°.

[0077] From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that reflectiveelements 312 and 314 provide a wider field of view than a wholly planarrearview mirror element that fully accommodates an equivalent framehaving similar dimensions. In addition, because reflective elements 312and 314 have overlapping field of views, an image in the field of viewof reflective element 314 will transition or move between the reflectiveelements and appear in both reflective elements during the transition tothereby enable the driver of the automobile to view or be conscious ofthe object continuously. In the illustrated embodiment, reflectiveelement 314 is positioned in an outboard position relative to reflectiveelement 312; therefore, when a vehicle or object that is approaching theautomobile from the rear and to some extent from the side, the image ofthe approaching object will first appear in reflective element 312, thenappear in both reflective elements 314 and 312, and then move toreflective element 314 so that the driver will be initially aware of theapproaching object when its image first appears in reflective element312 and continue to be aware of the object as it moves closer to theautomobile, thus increasing the range of viewing of the driver. Sincethe image transitions smoothly from reflective element 312 to reflectiveelement 314, the driver's awareness of the object is continuous and,further, the driver is not distracted from sudden transitions that oftenoccur with conventional spotter mirrors. Typically, when an object“falls” or “drops” out, a driver's consciousness of the object reducessignificantly, if not ceases, which is one of the causes of manyautomobile blind spot accidents. Hence, when combined with the field ofview of an interior rearview mirror system, the present inventionreduces, if not eliminates, an automobile's blind spot. For furtherdiscussion of blind spots in vehicle rearview mirror systems, referenceis made to copending U.S. provisional application entitled VEHICULARREARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM, filed Nov. 20, 2000 by Robert E. Schnell, DavidK. Willmore, and Richard J. Weber (Attorney Docket DON01 P-840), whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thus, theplano-auxiliary reflective element assembly provides a seamlessrearvision function whereby the image of a side approaching/sideovertaking other vehicle is substantially seamlessly maintained as theimage of the overtaking or approaching vehicle transitions from beingprincipally and substantially viewed by the driver of the vehicle (thevehicle mounted with the mirror system of the present invention) in theplano reflective element to be seen in the auxiliary reflective element.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 15, the numeral 410 generally designates yetanother embodiment of an automobile exterior sideview mirror system ofthe present invention. Exterior sideview mirror system 410 includes ahousing 412, a first reflective element 414, and a second or auxiliary,separate reflective element 416, which together provide an increasefield of view over conventional planar reflectors mounted in a frame ofequivalent dimensions to the combined lateral dimensions of reflectiveelement 414 and 416.

[0079] Housing 412 includes a mirror casing 417 and a sail 418, whichmounts casing 412 to a side of an automobile. Though illustrated as afixed mounting arrangement, it should be understood that mirror system410, like the previous embodiments, may comprise a break-away mirrorsystem or a powerfold mirror system.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, reflective element 414 comprises aplano reflective element having a unit magnification, similar to thepiano reflective elements described in reference to the previousembodiments. Reflective element 416 preferably comprises a wide-anglereflector, such as a convex or aspheric reflector, and may include amultiradiused curvature. For further description of suitable reflectors,reference is made to the previous embodiment.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, reflective element 416 is mountedin an outboard position relative to reflective element 414 and isfixedly mounted to bezel 420 of mirror casing 417. In addition,reflective element 416 is preferably angled downwardly and forwardlyrelative to first reflective element 414 when mirror system 410 ismounted to an automobile to thereby increase the field of view of mirrorsystem 410. Optionally and preferably, reflective element 416 isdetachably mounted to bezel 420, such as by mechanical fasteners,including clips, so that reflective element 416 can be removed, such asfor replacement.

[0082] Reflective element 414 preferably comprises an independentlypositionable reflective element and is mounted by a backing member, suchas a backing plate, to an actuator, which provides multi-axispositioning of reflective element 414. In this manner, reflectiveelement 414 and reflective element 416 are separately and independentlymounted in housing 412. In addition, reflective element 414 optionallyextends behind reflective element 416 in order to maintain the overlapof the field of views of reflective elements 414 and 416 even whenreflective element 414 is moved by the actuator. Similar to the previousembodiment, when an object moves toward the automobile, in which mirrorsystem 410 is mounted, from the rear of the automobile or laterally withrespect to the automobile, the image of the object will appear initiallyin reflective element 414. As the object moves closer to the automobile,the image of the object will move from reflective element 414 toreflective element 416 such that when the image transitions betweenreflective element 414 and reflective element 416, the image will appearin both reflective elements.

[0083] Also, although it is preferable to utilize a multiradius orcompound curvature reflective element, such as an aspherical element ora compound curvature element, for the second or auxiliary mirror elementadjacent the plano or first reflective element (as this enables leastdiscontinuity in image at the joint between the adjacent elements of theassembly), a spherical reflective element (that has substantially onlyone radius of curvature and, as such, is a section from a sphere) canoptionally be used adjacent the piano reflective element instead of, orin addition to, the multiradius reflective element. Also, a planoauxiliary mirror such as a flat mirrored substrate can be used, lesspreferably, as a substitute for a multiradius reflective element inthose embodiments where the auxiliary reflective element is angledrelative to the plane of the principal, plano reflective element so asto view a blind spot region of the principal plano element. Also, theplano-multiradius reflective element assembly can optionally be fixedlyattached to an exterior sideview mirror assembly housing that is notmovable, or, alternately, the exterior sideview mirror assembly housingto which the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly is fixedlyattached can itself be actuated to move, such as by motor action, sothat by moving the exterior sideview mirror assembly housing, the fieldof rearward view of the plano-multiradius reflective element assemblyfixedly attached thereto can correspondingly move and be repositioned tosuit the field of view need of a particular driver seated in theautomobile cabin.

[0084] The above description is considered that of the preferredembodiments only. Modification of the invention will occur to thoseskilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention.Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawingsand described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in thefollowing claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw, including the doctrine of equivalents.

1-59. (cancelled)
 60. An automobile exterior sideview mirror systemcomprising: an exterior sideview mirror assembly adapted for attachmentto a side of an automobile; said exterior sideview mirror assemblyincluding a reflective element assembly; said reflective elementassembly including a first reflective element having unit magnificationand a second reflective element having a curvature; said firstreflective element and said second reflective element supported at asupport element; said second reflective element disposed at an outer,upper portion of said reflective element assembly when said reflectiveelement assembly is included in said exterior sideview mirror assemblyand when said exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the sideof an automobile; said second reflective element supported on saidsupport element adjacent to and separate from said first reflectiveelement; a demarcation element between said first reflective element andsaid second reflective element; and wherein the portion of said secondreflective element adjacent said demarcation element has a front surfacegenerally coplanar with the front surface of said first reflectiveelement.
 61. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, whereinsaid demarcation element is dark colored.
 62. The exterior sideviewmirror system of claim 60, wherein said reflective element assemblyincludes a first bezel portion extending around said first reflectiveelement, said demarcation element comprising a segment of said firstbezel portion.
 63. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60,wherein said second reflective element comprises a curved reflectiveelement comprising a bent substrate with at least one radius ofcurvature in the range of about 4000 mm to about 100 mm.
 64. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, wherein said supportelement comprises a frame, said first and second reflective elementsbeing mounted at said frame.
 65. The exterior sideview mirror system ofclaim 64, wherein said second reflective element is mounted at saidframe at an outboard position, and said first reflective element ispositioned adjacent said second reflective element and at an inboardposition with respect to said second reflective element when saidexterior sideview mirror assembly is mounted to an automobile.
 66. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 64, wherein said firstreflective element is mounted at said frame by a backing plate.
 67. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 66, wherein said backing plateis adapted to mount to an actuator operable to adjust the orientation ofsaid reflective element assembly.
 68. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 67, wherein said actuator comprises an electricalactuator.
 69. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 64, whereinsaid first reflective element and said second reflective element areadjacently attached at said frame, said frame including a firstperimeter portion and a second perimeter portion, said first perimeterportion extending around said first reflective element, and said secondperimeter portion extending around said second reflective element. 70.The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 69, wherein a side portionof said first perimeter portion of said frame provides said demarcationelement between said first reflective element and said second reflectiveelement.
 71. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 69, whereinsaid second perimeter portion is angled downwardly and forwardly withrespect to said first perimeter portion when said mirror assembly ismounted to an automobile.
 72. The exterior sideview mirror system ofclaim 64, wherein said second reflective element is attached at saidframe by at least one of an adhesive attachment and a mechanicalattachment.
 73. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 66, whereinsaid backing plate is attached to one side of said first reflectiveelement and said frame by one of an adhesive attachment, a weldedattachment, and a mechanical attachment.
 74. The exterior sideviewmirror system of claim 73, wherein an opposed side of said frame forms abezel around said first reflective element.
 75. The exterior sideviewmirror system of claim 60, wherein said first reflective elementincludes a rearward field of view having a principal axis different froma principal axis of the rearward field of view of said second reflectiveelement when mounted in said exterior sideview mirror assembly.
 76. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 75, wherein said principal axisof the rearward field of view of said second reflective element isdirected generally outwardly and downwardly with respect to alongitudinal axis of the automobile.
 77. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 76, wherein said principal axis of the rearward field ofsaid second reflective element forms a downward angle with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the automobile in the range from about 0.75° toabout 5°.
 78. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 77, whereinsaid downward angle is in a range from about 1.5° to about 3.5°.
 79. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 77, wherein said downward angleis in a range of about 2° to about 3°.
 80. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 76, wherein said principal axis of said secondreflective element forms an outward angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the automobile in a range of about 0.75° to about5°.
 81. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 80, wherein saidoutward angle is in a range of about 1° to about 3°.
 82. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 81, wherein said outward angle is in arange of about 1.25° to about 2.5°.
 83. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 81, wherein said exterior sideview mirror assemblycomprises a fixedly attached exterior sideview mirror assembly.
 84. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, wherein said exteriorsideview mirror assembly comprises a break-away exterior sideview mirrorassembly.
 85. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, whereinsaid exterior sideview mirror assembly comprises a powerfold exteriorsideview mirror assembly.
 86. The exterior sideview mirror system ofclaim 60, wherein at least one of said first reflective element and saidsecond reflective element comprises a variable reflectance reflectiveelement.
 87. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 86, whereineach of said first reflective element and said second reflective elementcomprises a variable reflectance reflective element.
 88. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 60, wherein said first reflectiveelement comprises an electrochromic reflective element.
 89. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 60, wherein said first reflectiveelement has a first principal axis and said second reflective elementhas a second principal axis when supported on said support element, saidsecond principal axis being angled outwardly from said first principalaxis at an angle in a range of about 0.75° to about 5°.
 90. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 89, wherein said second principal axisis angled outwardly from said first principal axis at an angle in arange of about 1° to about 3°.
 91. The exterior sideview mirror systemof claim 89, wherein said second principal axis is angled outwardly fromsaid first principal axis at an angle in a range of about 1.25° to about2.5°.
 92. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, wherein saidsecond reflective element has a second principal axis that is angleddownwardly from a first principal axis of said first reflective elementwhen supported on said support element.
 93. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 92, wherein said second principal axis is angleddownwardly from said first principal axis at an angle in a range ofapproximately 0.75° to about 5°.
 94. The exterior sideview mirror systemof claim 92, wherein said second principal axis is angled downwardlyfrom said first principal axis at an angle in a range of about 2° toabout 3°.
 95. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60, whereinsaid second reflective element has a second principal axis that isdirected generally outwardly and downwardly with respect to alongitudinal axis of an automobile when said mirror assembly is mountedto the automobile.
 96. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 60,wherein said support element includes a support surface for said secondreflective element, said support surface angling a second principal axisof said second reflective element.
 97. An automobile exterior sideviewmirror system comprising: an exterior sideview mirror assembly adaptedfor attachment to a side of an automobile; said exterior sideview mirrorassembly including a reflective element assembly; said reflectiveelement assembly including a first reflective element having unitmagnification and a second reflective element having a curvature; saidsecond reflective element disposed at an outer, upper portion of saidreflective element assembly when said reflective element assembly isincluded in said exterior sideview mirror assembly and when saidexterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the side of anautomobile; said second reflective element disposed adjacent to andseparate from said first reflective element; said first reflectiveelement including a rearward field of view having a principal axisdifferent from a principal axis of the rearward field of view of saidsecond reflective element when mounted in said exterior sideview mirrorassembly; a demarcation element between said first reflective elementand said second reflective element; and wherein the portion of saidsecond reflective element adjacent said demarcation element has a frontsurface generally coplanar with the front surface of said firstreflective element.
 98. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 97,wherein said reflective element assembly includes a first bezel portionextending around said first reflective element, said demarcation elementcomprising a segment of said first bezel portion.
 99. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 97, wherein said second reflectiveelement comprises a curved reflective element comprising a bentsubstrate with at least one radius of curvature in the range of about4000 mm to about 100 mm.
 100. The exterior sideview mirror system ofclaim 97, further comprising a support element, said first reflectiveelement and said second reflective element supported at said supportelement.
 101. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 100, whereinsaid support element including a support surface for said secondreflective element, said support surface angling said principal axis ofsaid second reflective element.
 102. The exterior sideview mirror systemof claim 101, wherein said principal axis of said second reflectiveelement is directed generally outwardly and downwardly with respect tothe longitudinal axis of an automobile when said mirror assembly ismounted to the automobile.
 103. The exterior sideview mirror system ofclaim 97, further comprising an actuator operable to adjust theorientation of said reflective element assembly.
 104. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 97, wherein said principal axis of therearward field of view of said second reflective element is directedgenerally outwardly and downwardly with respect to a longitudinal axisof the automobile.
 105. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 97,wherein said principal axis of said second reflective element forms anoutward angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the automobile.106. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 97, further comprisinga frame, said first and second reflective elements being mounted at saidframe, said frame including a first perimeter portion and a secondperimeter portion, said first perimeter portion extending around saidfirst reflective element, and said second perimeter portion extendingaround said second reflective element.
 107. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 106, wherein a side portion of said first perimeterportion of said frame provides said demarcation element between saidfirst reflective element and said second reflective element.
 108. Anautomobile exterior sideview mirror system comprising: an exteriorsideview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to a side of anautomobile; said exterior sideview mirror assembly including areflective element assembly; said reflective element assembly includinga first reflective element having unit magnification and a secondreflective element having a curvature; an actuator operable to adjustthe orientation of said reflective element assembly; said secondreflective element disposed at an outer, upper portion of saidreflective element assembly when said reflective element assembly isincluded in said exterior sideview mirror assembly and when saidexterior sideview mirror assembly is attached to the side of anautomobile; said second reflective element disposed adjacent to andseparate from said first reflective element; a demarcation elementbetween said first reflective element and said second reflectiveelement; and wherein the portion of said second reflective elementadjacent said demarcation element has a front surface generally coplanarwith the front surface of said first reflective element.
 109. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 108, wherein said firstreflective element has a first principal axis and said second reflectiveelement has a second principal axis, said second principal axis beingangled outwardly from said first principal axis.
 110. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 109, wherein said second principal axisis angled downwardly from said first principal axis of said firstreflective element.
 111. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim110, wherein said second principal axis is directed generally outwardlyand downwardly with respect to a longitudinal axis of an automobile whensaid mirror assembly is mounted to the automobile.
 112. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 110, further comprising a supportelement, said support element including a support surface for saidsecond reflective element, said support surface angling said secondprincipal axis of said second reflective element relative to said firstprincipal axis.
 113. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 112,wherein said support element comprises a frame, said first and secondreflective elements being mounted at said frame.
 114. The exteriorsideview mirror system of claim 113, wherein said second reflectiveelement is mounted at said frame at an outboard position, and said firstreflective element is positioned adjacent said second reflective elementand at an inboard position with respect to said second reflectiveelement when said exterior sideview mirror assembly is mounted to anautomobile.
 115. The exterior sideview mirror system of claim 114,wherein said frame includes a first perimeter portion and a secondperimeter portion, said first perimeter portion extending around saidfirst reflective element, and said second perimeter portion extendingaround said second reflective element.
 116. The exterior sideview mirrorsystem of claim 115, wherein a side portion of said first perimeterportion of said frame provides said demarcation element between saidfirst reflective element and said second reflective element.
 117. Theexterior sideview mirror system of claim 116, wherein said secondperimeter portion is angled downwardly and forwardly with respect tosaid first perimeter portion when said mirror assembly is mounted to anautomobile.